Construction of buildings carried on at first floor level



Jan. 14, 1969 M. @WHITFIELD I 3,421,271

CONSTRUCTION QF BUILDINGS CARRIED ON AT FIRST FLQOR LEVEL Filed June 8. 1966 Sheet of 2 A fl. '/4 Jag# 2%.??

Mars/MIZ i Mu-6M Jan. 14, 1969 M. G.wH|TF|ELD 3,421,271

CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS CARRIED 0N AT FIRST FLOOR LEVEL Filed June 8, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 I NVENTOR.

.Mars/zal Z 6. WIM/Yell United States Patent O 3,421,271 CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS CARRIED ON AT FIRST FLOOR LEVEL Marshall G. Whiteld, Brookfield, Conn. Whitfield Laboratories, Inc., P.O. Box 293, Bethel, Conn. 06801) Filed .lune 8, 1966, Ser. No. 556,033 U.S. Cl. 52-126 Int. Cl. E04g 21/00; E04d 15/00 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Building industry construction comprising a building structure which is under construction and is periodically hoisted higher above the ground, new stories being added always at the bottom, the hoisting being done by hollow segmented jack screw shells having incompressible fillers and exterior threads. The jack screws constitute a part of the building framework and remain in place as a permanent part of the building.

This invention relates to building construction, and more particularly to the fabrication of buildings by successively adding stories always at the bottom.

Background Summary The above disadvantages and drawbacks of prior building structures of the kind indicated are obviated by the present invention, and a main object is to provide an improved building construction and improved fabricating equipment, which involve comparatively simple devices including compression type columns remaining as part of the building framework, to effect economies in cost, ilexibility in application and great strength enabling manystoried structures to be fabricated with greater ease and facility.

This is accomplished by the provision of powerful, fabricated columns constructed as lifting or jack screws, said columns becoming permanent parts of the building framework and being made as independent sections joined end-to-end by compression-type nipples. The columns are of tubular metal construction with external threads and with internal compression cores which may be of reinforced poured concrete. Such jack screws in conjunction with heavy lifting nut devices operating substantially at ground level constitute particularly simple yet strong and powerful lifting frameworks particularly suitable for the construction of buildings by the method of fabricating one story at a time at ground level, then raising the entire story, fabricating a lower story underneath the raised story, etc.

Other objects of the invention are to provide novel and improved building structures and cooperable equipment for carrying out the fabrication of buildings by a building-structure raising and supporting technique whereby Work is always done substantially at ground level as above set forth, wherein great strength and reliability is had enabling the construction to be carried out with the maximum degree of safety and security; to provide structures and equipment as above, characterized by novel massive lifting screws adapted to be retained in the building as permanent structural members or columns thereof; to provide improved combination lifting-screw buildingcolumn constructions for the above-specified purposes; to provide improved methods of building fabrication involving construction processes which are carried on mainly at the first-story level; and to provide improved structural column members for use with the above methods and techniques.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, on a greatly reduced scale, illustrating the method for fabricating a building by successively adding stories always at the bottom or first story level.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a threaded lifting column and powered lifting means, the column being shown in axial section and being of the compressive stress type adapted to be permanently incorporated in the building structure while and after performing its lifting function.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in axial section, illustrating a modified form of screw column as provided by the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in axial section, of another type of screw column as provided by the invention.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional View of still another type of screw column.

FIG. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in axial section, of still another type of screw column.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of yet another type of screw column.

lFIG. 8 is a top plan view of a compound-type screw column and lifting nut organization as provided by the invention.

`FIG. 9 is a fragmentary axial sectional view through the column and nut of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view like that of FIG. 9, but showing the screw column in partially extended condition.

FIG. 1l is a fragmentary axial sectional view of still another form of column made in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is diagrammatically illustrated a building structure 20, such as an oice building having an uppermost story 22 with a suitable roof or covering 24. The building 20 is shown as comprising a relatively large number of stories, and the lowermost portion of the building is carried on a plurality of screw columns 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34, there being additional screw columns disposed behind those shown and therefore not visible in the view given.

The screw columns 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 are shown as supporting the building structure 20, said columns extending into lifting screw-jack devices 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively.

The screw columns 26 etc. as shown in FIG. l may be constituted in a manner illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, being characterized by an external machine screw configuration. Each of the jack devices 36 etc. may comprise a pair of lifting nuts 48, 50 with internal threads 52, 54 and with external gear teeth 56, 58 respectively.

Associated with the nuts 48, S0 are lifting cams 60, 62 and 64, 66 respectively, together with rolle-rs 68, 70. The cams A62, 66 have gear teeth 72, 74 respectively, and are rotatable on supporting tables or surfaces 76, 78.

The nuts 48, 50 alternately carry the load of the threaded column 80, which has powerful external machine screw threads 82 engaged with the threads 52, 54 of the nuts. When one nut is not turning but is supporting and lifting the column by virtue of the cams associated with it, the iother nut is being turned so as to tnavel along the threads of the column. Thereafter, the said other nut is held against turning and now takes the load of and lifts the column 80 by virtue of operation of the cam elements associated therewith, while the first nut, now Ibeing relieved of the load, is turned and traverses the threads of the col-urnn 80 to a new position. Thereafter, the said finst nut stops turning and assutmes the load on and lifts the column `by virtue of operation o-f its associated cams, and the second nut is relieved of the load and again tunis and travels yalong the column.

An actuator device embodying alternately lifting nuts such as those described above, and which device would be suitable for use in -conjunction with the lifting column 80, is described in detail and claimed in Patents Nos. 2,836,985 land 2,928,289 isued to Arthur M. Maroth Accordingly, no further details lof the operation of the nuts 48, 50 and associated cam mechanisms are given here- 1n.

Referring now to the screw column 80, this comprises a plurality of elongate tubular metal shells one of which is `shown in FIG. 2 and indicated by the numeral 84. In FIG. 3, two shell 86, 88 are shown, and it will be understood that the threaded column may comprise as many individual shells coupled together in end-to-end relation, as will `be found necessary .for the stated purpose.

The shell 84 preferably has the. thread 82 rolled in it, said thread comprising flat crest portions 90 and rounded grooves 92.

In accordance with the invention, each elongate tubular shell such las the shell 84 has a core indicated generally by the numeral 94, of substantially incompressible structure, which fills the shell almost to the end portions thereof. The core 94 includes clon-gate structural steel i reinforcement means which in FIG. 2 comprises solid longitudinaly extending bars or rods 96- and also relativelyshort transverse metal bars 98 interconnecting the rods 96. In FIG. 2, either three or four of the longitudinal rods 96 may ibe employed, and the said rods as well as the transverse bars 98 are embedded in concrete 100 which completely fills the interior of the shell 84 and extends to points adjacent the end portions of the shell, as for example the end portion 102.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the threaded column 104 illustrated therein is seen to comprise in addition to the shells 86, 88 a threaded nipple member 106 which screws into the end portions of the shells and `brings these into abutting relationship whereby the helical machine screw configurations of the shells constitute an essentially continuous screw thread. In FIG. 3, the nipple 106 is shown as comprising a solid steel plug. However, it may also comprise a hollow shell structure which is filled with concrete, reinforced.

The column shells 86, 88 are provided with holes 108, 110 respectively to permit a grouting or filler substance to -be forced into the joint and around the ends of the nipple 106 for the purpose of effecting a solid non-compress-ible joint therewith.

In FIG. 3, three longitudinally extending reinforcement rods 112 are illustrated, interconnected by transverse bars 114. Also, the longitudinal rods 112 lhave other transverse bars 116 which extend to and back up the inner surfaces lof the shells 86, 88. As with the column 80 of FIG. 2, concrete 118 fills the shells 86, 88 and surrounds the reinforcement rods and vbars 112, 114 and 116. The machine screw thread configuration 119 may be rolled in the shells or otherwise formed, and is shown as having rounded crests and troughs.

Another form of screw column is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein a straight sided tubular metal shell 122 has welded to Iits exterior a spiral steel semi-circular-section element 124 which constitutes a relatively accurate machine screw thread. The shell 122 has internal rein-forcement means comprising longitudinal rods 126 and transverse bars 128 forming a mesh or honeycomb. Also, additional longitudinal rods 130 and transverse rods 132 are disposed at right angles to the mesh or honeycomb formed by the rods 126, 128. The entire interior of the shells 122, 123 is filled with concrete, which surrounds the mesh formed by the wire rod and bars.

Another form of screw column is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the reinforcement 4means comprises la single centrally disposed rod 136 having secured to it transverse lbars 138 which are disposed in a helix `having the rod 136 as an axis. The interior of the column 140i in FIG. 5 is likewise completely filled with concrete except for the end portions which receive the connector nipples.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another formy of threaded column, designated 142, wherein the reinforcement means comprises an inon memiber having longitudinal ribs 144 yand flutes 146, said member being twisted so that it has a configuration very like a large-diameter twist drill. The twisted reinforcement member completely fills the inside space of the column 142 except for the flutes, said member engaging the interior walls. The flutes are filled with concrete, as with the other forms of columns.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated a threaded column 148 comprising a shell having welded to its exterior a spiral thread element 152. Inside the shell 150 there is era steel girder configuration formed of longitudinally extending members 154, 156, 158, and 162 which are secured together so as to have a cross-sectional configuration somewhat like the letter H with the letter I disposed midway between the sides of the H.

With this form of column the structural steel reinforcement is made sufficiently strong and rigid to eliminate the necessity for adding concrete on the inside of the shell 150.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and l() the screw column is shown as `comprising a pair of telescoping sections, an inner column section 166 land an outer column section 168, the latter lbeing lboth internally and externally threaded. The internal threads of the sleeve of outer member 168 engage the external threads of the inner column member 166. The outer member or `sleeve 168 also engages the internal threads of a turnable nut 170 which does the lifting in a conventional manner. A temporary lock between the nut 170 and the sleeve 168 is effected by removable pins 172 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Initially, the nut 170 and the member 168 are locked together, whereby the inner column member 166 is raised. After the inner member has reached a certain desired height, the locking .pins 172 are removed, and thereafter the actuator `comprising the nut 170 will raise the outer column member 168 while relative turning mio-vement is prevented between the two column members 166, 168 in any suitable manner, as by welding these to each other.

Referring again to FIG. l, as each story o-f the building 20 is lbuilt at substantially the ground level, the supporting screw columns 26 etc. are permanently incorporated in the structure.

Upon completion of each lowermost story of the building around the screw columns 26, etc. the lifting jack devices 36, etc. will be made to simultaneously raise the columns, junctions will be effected with additional column sections at locations below the lifting jack devices, and the entire building will be raised a complete story, to enable an additional bottom story to be applied, incorporating the newly added screw columns which have passed through the lifting jack devices.

It will now be understood that the invention provides a novel method of fabricating a building, which includes the steps of constructing the upper story and roof portion of the building first at substantially ground level, then raising said construction by approximately a storys height with powerful, reinforced screw columns, and then constructing the next lowest story portion at substantially ground level, utilizing the supporting rugged screw columns as permanent support members in the said next low-` est story portion. As seen in FIG. 1, the dotted lines 176 indicate screw columns which have been previously utilized and incorporated in the upper stories of the building structure 20 as the work progressed. The screw columns 176 are all continuations of the columns 26 etc. which are visible, and accordingly each complete column comprises a substantially incompressible, strong steel and concrete structural member which constitutes a permanent portion of the completed building.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11. The column of this embodiment comprises a generally tubular formation in the form of a rolled helix 174 formed by rolling a metallic section into a rectangular thread shape as shown. Within the helix a steel reinforcement is provided, comprising longitudinal bars 183 braced by connecting7 diagonal steel braces 178. The remainder of the column comprises concrete 180, which is cast to fill the helical thread and to have a helical groove 180 whereby the column has in its outer surface an accurate machine thread conguration. The bars 183 strongly reinforce the helix 174, and provide an internal backing therefor, as will be understood. Welding of the helix to the bars 183 may be done, to maintain the accuracy of spacing of the convolutions. Connector sleeves 182 join ends of adjoining rods 183, being welded thereto.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel combination building structure having incorporated in it and extending vertically through it a plurality of upright substantially incompressible structural columns, each of said columns constituting an essential, powerful supporting part of the building structure and said columns comprising threaded tubular metal shells made up of sections joined end-to-end, and cores disposed in the said shells, of substantially incompressible structure. By virtue of the said improved method, it becomes unnecessary to haul building materials to high elevations, and unnecessary for workmen to perform their tasks at said high elevations. Instead, all of the work is performed at substantially ground level and the materials are utilized at the said level, thus effecting a considerable saving of time, manpower and labor.

In the specification and in the claims the term machine screw conliguration has been used to describe the external thread provided on the columns. This term is intended to apply to any continuous screw thread of constant helical configuration, which will be fully cooperable with a mating threaded part such as machine screw nuts, for example the nuts 48 and 50 of FIG. 2.

Variations and modications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In combination, a building structure disposed above the ground and having incorporated in it and extending downward from it a plurality of upright structural columns, each of said columns constituting an essential supporting part of said building structure and comprising: a plurality of elongate tube-like metal formations disposed end-toend and metal connectors located respectively at adjoining end portions of the metal formations, said connectors having intertting means securing said end portions against separation and relative movement; cores of substantially incompressible structure, respectively lling said formations to said end portions thereof, said cores including elongate structural steel reinforcement means extending throughout the lengths of the formations; said connectors being engaged with the ends of said cores to effect therewith continuous compression strut means within said formations; said formations comprising on their exteriors correlated helical machine screw congurations constituting an essentially continuous screw thread; and means including metal nuts disposed on the columns and having machine screw threads engaged with said continuous screw threads of the upright columns at locations below said building structure, for raising said columns and building structure to enable additions to be made to the building structure at the underside of the same.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein,

(a) the metal formations comprise tubes, and

(b) the machine screw configurations are rolled in the tubes,

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the reinforcement means comprises elongate vertical metal rods and relatively short `transverse metal bars interconnecting said metal rods.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein:

(a) short transverse metal bars connected to said rods extend to the inner surfaces of the formations.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein:

(a) the rods and bars are fabricated in the form of a grill.

6. The combination of claim 3, wherein:

(a) the transverse metal bars are disposed in a helix.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the reinforcement means comprises twisted sections forming helical flutes.

`8. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the reinforcement means comprises an elongate metal girder structure engaged with the inside surfaces of the formations.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the means for raising the columns include intermediary, internally and externally threaded sleeve members engaged with the formations and with the nuts.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein:

(a) means are provided, for releasably locking the intermediary sleeve members to the nuts.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the machine-screw configurations are rolled metal shapes.

12. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the machine-screw configurations comprise helical metal elements welded to the exteriors of the formations.

13. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cores include substantially incompressible concrete substance in which the steel reinforcement means are embedded.

14. The method of fabricating a building which includes the steps of constructing the upper story and roof portion of the building at substantially ground level, raising said construction by approximately a storys height with threaded screw columns, and constructing the next lower story portion at substantially ground level and incorporating into the said next lower story portion the same said screw columns as permanent support members there- 15. The method of claim 14 and including the additional step of alternately applying lifting forces to different vertically-spaced portions of the threads of said screw columns, to effect the lifting of the columns and building portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,398,822 11/1921 Wilson 254--31 2,836,985 6/ 1958 Maroth 74-424.8 2,928,289 3/ 1960 vMaroth 74424.8 3,201,502 8/ 1965 Pluckebaum 52-745 3,210,903 10/ 1965 Herolf 52-745 FOREIGN PATENTS 613,403 11/ 1948 Great Britain.

FRANK I... ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

A. PERI-IAM, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-236, 725, 745 

